Group To Deal With Violence In Families

February 17, 1987|BY VALERIE HILL-MORGAN, Staff Writer

A coalition on family violence has been formed to coordinate services countywide for families involved in domestic disturbances.

The Broward County Coalition of Family Violence Service Providers, which so far consists of representatives from four social services agencies, will meet today at 9 a.m. in Fort Lauderdale to determine what services are available and what services are needed to better assist families in need.

``I think it`s important for us to have an organized plan for treating family violence victims,`` said Women in Distress Executive Director Bonnie Flynn, who organized the coalition. ``It ultimately will mean that families will be linked to the counseling and other help that`s available as quickly as possible.``

Women in Distress, a 12-year-old agency that provides shelter and counseling to battered women and their children, is the county`s leading agency that provides services to victims of domestic violence, Flynn said.

The other top service providers include the Nova University Mental Health Clinic`s Family Violence Program, the United Way-sponsored Family Service Agency and the Community Service Council of Broward County, a referral agency that operates a 24-hour crisis line.

Repesentatives from all four agencies and a representative from the Broward Sheriff`s Office are expected to attend today`s meeting.